Behind the Bench, Oct 30th - Junior Hockey News

How is everybody doing? We have had a couple of showcases now and the CCM World Invite is happening this weekend in Chicago. Tons of hockey everywhere. We hope that your growth as a hockey player and as a person is keeping pace!

Coach Littler is keeping it short and sweet this week. I suspect that he has designs on clearing up some time in order to consume vast quantities of Halloween candy. That’s just an educated guess, of course! Coach wants all of you to take a look at this brief excerpt about what Tennessee Titans’ coach Mike Vrabel is doing to change the attitude and culture of his football team.

“WITH ‘GOOD TO GREAT’ MANTRA, TITANS COACH MIKE VRABEL HAS SET THE EXPECTATIONS FOR 2019”

The mantra is emblazoned over an image of the Lombardi Trophy near the exit of the team facility, the last thing the Titans players see before they trot onto the practice field. They’re reminded of the slogan soon after they hit the field – it’s etched into one of the bordering fences at Saint Thomas Sports Park.

And if they slip up during practice, they’ll be reminded of it again by coach Mike Vrabel, loudly and emphatically.

The goal?

“We’re going to try to remind ourselves

that we’re trying to be great every day.”

Vrabel, entering his second season as Titans coach, said in April: "Instead of throwing it out there, ‘Hey, I’m good,’ (we say,) ‘I’m great.’ We’ve got to believe that we can be great to take the next step and do that every single day.” And so “good to great” went from an idea to a mantra to the expectation, a self-imposed bar for this 2019 Titans team to clear.

“Good” is no longer good enough for a team aiming to get over the hump of three straight 9-7 seasons, especially when it has only one playoff appearance in that span to show for it. Its first attempt at being great the Titans beat the Browns, 43-10.

Sure it’s football but the concept holds true in hockey as well. Changing an attitude or culture all begins with taking that first step. Even if that step is small (like a saying or a mantra), everything has to start somewhere. Where it ends is up to you, so think BIG!

What does your JuniorHockey.com Profile look like? Update your page and let everyone know what you are you doing this week, what are you doing to get better? Keep them updated! Don't have a profile yet? Go get one, it's completely free. #GetKnown

We want to hear from you. If there are any questions, concerns, or if you just want to have a conversation, please feel free to contact us directly. Good Luck and Great Hockey!

Author: Michael MooreMichael is a professional hockey scout and advisor with Victorious Hockey helping North America’s top hockey prospects fulfill their ultimate playing potential.

* Disclaimer: This site may contain advice, opinions and statements from various authors and information providers. Views expressed in this article reflect the personal opinion of the author, Michael Moore, and not necessarily the views of JuniorHockey.com. JuniorHockey.com does not represent or endorse the accuracy or reliability of any advice, opinion, statement or other info provided in the article, or from any other member of this site.